In the Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Salmonella outbreak, the FDA has found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Mbandaka at the Kellogg’s facility. At least 100 people in 33 states are sick in this outbreak. Thirty people have been hospitalized because they are so sick.
Kellogg’s has recalled their Honey Smacks cereal, which were sold nationally in the United States, including Guam and Saipan, and in some foreign countries. The foreign countries where the product was sold include: Aruba/Curaçao/Saint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles), the Bahamas, Barbados, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Tahiti (French Polynesia).
After the recall, which was issued June 14, 2018, the CDC and FDA warned consumers not to eat any size package of Honey Smacks, no matter what the expiration date was. We now know why they did that: Salmonella was found in the facility.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented clients sickened with Salmonella infections, said, “Even when you recover from this infection, there is still a risk you will develop a serious complication in the future.” Call 1-888-377-8900 or 612-338-0202.
Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker said, “This product has an estimated one year shelf life, and it is probably still in some consumer’s homes. Many people may not be aware of this outbreak, and could eat the cereal and get sick.”
Public health officials also found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Mbandaka in product samples that were collected and analyzed by state officials where people got sick. The Kellogg’s manufacturing facility that made that cereal is no longer operating as of June 12, 2018. The FDA is “working with the firm to address corrective actions.”
The case count by state in this Kellogg’s Honey Smacks Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak is: Alabama (2), Arizona (3), California (6), Colorado (1), Connecticut (4), Florida (2), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (3), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (2), Massachusetts (7), Maryland (2), Michigan (4), Mississippi (1), Montana (2), North Carolina (4), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (4), New York (11), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (2), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (8), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (2), Texas (3), Utah (1), Virginia (5), Washington (3), Wisconsin (1), West Virginia (4). The ages of ill persons range from less than one year to 95. The hospitalization rate in this outbreak is 39%, almost twice as high as the average Salmonella outbreak rate.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, abdominal and stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody. If you or someone you know has been experiencing these symptoms and ate Honey Smacks cereal, you may be part of this Kellogg’s Honey Smacks outbreak; visit a healthcare provider.
